Muhammad Tareq; Dhaka- Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced a hike in bus fares for long-distance and metropolitan routes following a meeting with transport owners and workers at the Secretariat on Thursday. The decision comes in response to rising fuel costs and maintenance expenses.
New Fare Breakdown:
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Long-Distance Routes: Fares have increased from 2.12 Taka to 2.23 Taka per kilometer.
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Dhaka & Chattogram Cities: Fares have risen from 2.42 Taka to 2.53 Taka per kilometer.
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Inter-District Routes: An increase of 11 paisa per kilometer has been applied.
The Minister clarified that this hike applies strictly to diesel-run buses. CNG-run vehicles are excluded from this price adjustment. He also noted that if fuel prices decrease in the future, bus fares will be adjusted downward accordingly. Currently, no decisions have been made regarding fare hikes for rail or water transport.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association highlighted that the sector is under extreme financial pressure due to a 15 Taka per liter increase in diesel prices and the rising cost of imported spare parts caused by the dollar’s appreciation.
Comparison Table: Old vs. New Fares
| Route Type | Old Fare (per km) | New Fare (per km) | Increase |
| Long-Distance | 2.12 Taka | 2.23 Taka | 11 Paisa |
| Dhaka/Chattogram City | 2.42 Taka | 2.53 Taka | 11 Paisa |
| Inter-District | – | – | 11 Paisa |
Note: These changes are effective immediately for diesel-powered vehicles only. CNG-powered buses will continue to operate under previous rates.